by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

THE POWER OF MUSIC GALA

As Shakespeare advised, "if music be the food of love, play on."

Our beloved Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) showed us their craft, dedication and showmanship at their 35th annual Power of Music Gala at the historic Orpheum Theatre. As the president and CEO of the VSO and the VSO School of Music for the past seven years, the glamorous and bejewelled Angela Elster said proudly, "It is a privilege to be a leader in the arts and culture sector — one that serves the power of music."

And be assured, music’s power can take your worrying mind away from politics, financial concerns, and ever-threatening international situations. Music has the ability to render a sense of peace and tranquility. And the talented members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra do exactly that. They allow us to dream...

**Jennifer Gaze standing proud for canada.**

Kudos to all those new and old VSO fans and supporters like the VSO's Honourary Life President Gerald A.B. McGavin, Honourary Life Vice Presidents Nezhat (Nezzie) Khosrowshahi, Ronald Stern and Arthur Willms.

The Orpheum was packed with all sorts of music lovers. The younger gals in their short ruffled dresses and spiked heels caught everyone's eye.

Always a delight to see Bard on the Beach's Christopher Gaze and his lovely wife Jennifer, who wore her own unique outfit. Opening her tailored jacket wide, we read those words, "True North Strong and Free" emblazoned on her shirt. Way to go, Ms. Gaze!

**Jill Killeen (left) with Kaylyn and Andrew Storey, enjoying the VSO Gala**

Besides the incomparable VSO, led by music director, Otto Tausk, and the special guest host, George Stroumboulopoulos, the multi-Juno award winning Leslie Feist entertained, doing several encores. Her smile lit up the theatre.

Two people who were honoured that evening with the treasured VSO Gold Baton Awards were Angela Hewitt for Music and Brandt C. Louie for Corporate Leadership.

And once again, the master chef of Bon Vivant Catering, Dino Renaerts, created a tasty treat menu starting with the passed canapes like Chicken Karaage Bites, Devils on Horseback, and Wapiti Meatballs along with Beef Short Ribs, Fresh Shucked Oysters and Teriyaki Glazed Chicken.

There was even Northern Divine Caviar available — if you could get through the crowd around it, that is. Decadent desserts abounded and the champagne never stopped flowing.

It was a truly grand evening...

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS HIT LET GO
The Jones Boys Fired Abruptly After 60 Years

Speaking of music, it seems like the Jones Boys band have always been the headliners at the ever-popular Harrison Hot Springs Hotel. The perfect relaxing spot for tourists and residents alike whether for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, special occasions with the Jones Boys playing the most danceble tunes of the day.

But “the boys” will be there no longer, with band leader Ian Putz telling Global News they were abruptly fired by the hotel without explanation.

It's hard to believe that they have been entertaining the crowds every night for the past 60 years! What a run...

MEL ZAJAC WOWS THE CROWDS TOO …

And you will never guess who else will be a big hit with the dancing crowd at an upcoming fundraiser at the Terminal City Club. The little guy with the biggest voice and even bigger heart, Mel Zajac.

Mel was born in Winnipeg, where his father died when Mel was six years old. Everyone in the family of eight had to go to work, just to survive. Even his mother went to work on a farm.

Mel left home at 19 to travel to Vancouver, where he joined the building trade and found his life's work, building the first high rise in the West End.

His favourite endeavor was the Pacific Palisades apartments, which became the Pacific Palisades Hotel. Mel frequently visited Palm Springs to golf with his close friend, Bob Hope, who loved the Palisades and spread the word that the Palisades could be his showbiz pals’ "home away from home" while they were performing or shooting their movies in Vancouver.

Hollywood stars like Bob Hope, who arrived in Vancouver several times a year to golf with Mel; Katherine Hepburn, who came frequently to wander carefree through Stanley Park, Vincent Price, who loved dining in various Asian restaurants, Leslie Nielsen, Kirk Douglas and Tom Selleck, who is currently the Commish on the popular TV show, Blue Bloods, on CHEK TV..., were regulars in the Palisades Hotel.

Mel's volunteer and community involvement began when he set up his annual Men's Charity Golf Classic in 1964, where many of those same Hollywood stars took part. The classic continued until 1987.

Between 1970 and 1980, Mel created a bike track for blind children; donated a lift bus to transport children to and from VGH for treatment; donated a portable kidney machine to the B.C Kidney Foundation, allowing kids with kidney disease to attend summer camp; and had all the walls and elevators at Children's Hospital repainted with happy murals.

Meanwhile, the untimely deaths of Mel's two sons, Mel Jr. and Marty, in separate sporting accidents only eight months apart, caused Mel and his late first wife, Irene, to decided that they would honour their sons by establishing the Mel Jr. and Marty Zajac Foundation.

It was in 1986, after his sons' deaths, that he was inspired to start construction on the Zajac Ranch for Children on a 41-acre site near Mission on Stave Lake with top-rated medical facilities and accessible features for children with chronic and debilitating conditions. Generous doctors and nurses volunteer their services each year. The Ranch operates from June through September.

In 1992, the Zajac Foundation formed a partnership with the Vancouver Neurological Foundation for children and adults with neurological problems in East Vancouver. The B.C. Neurological Centre was a four million dollar project.

Over the years, Mel has been the recipient of several awards, including Outstanding Contributor Towards Pro Golf Award as well as Patron of the Year Award from the Canadian Pro Golf Association. In 1987 he was the recipient of the prestigious Variety Clubs' Heart Award as Humanitarian of the Year. Mel has received many more well-deserved awards and citations.

Every year, Mel hosts Zajac Nights, his favourite evening fundraiser for the ranch. It's held at the Terminal City Club with a great band for dancing, where you will hear Mr. Zajac himself sing his heart out with the same songs that Jack Jones and Frank Sinatra crooned way back when. The next Zajac Nights is Saturday, May 31.

I and Mel's multitude of friends and fans, want to send him our very best wishes as he celebrates his 97th birthday on Thursday, May 15!!

Happy Birthday Mel!!...